The Underestimated Ex-husband

“Mr. Kane,” Clara called out stiffly, “I came here on behalf of Madam Hart. These are divorce papers. All you need to do is sign.” She dropped a folder on the table between them and crossed her arms.

Seated behind the prison’s glass booth was Adrian Kane, but he didn’t look broken. He sat tall and with his eyes sharp, as though prison hadn’t touched him at all, and Clara immediately disliked it because she thought a convict should look defeated, and not like he owned the place.

Adrian didn’t even look at the folder but instead leaned back and studied her. His voice was calm but carried a quiet authority “Tell her to come in person. If she wants this divorce, she’ll have to look me in the eye while asking for it.”

Clara’s brows shot up “Excuse me?”

 “I won’t sign unless Elena brings it herself” Adrian’s lips curved in a mocking half-smile.

Clara let out a dry laugh “You really think you’re in a position to bargain? Look around you, Kane. You’re a convict. Madam Hart is running a billion-dollar company while you rot in here. She doesn’t have time to indulge your little games.”

Adrian leaned forward slowly with his gaze steady “Then she can carve out ten minutes from her precious schedule, or else, these papers won’t get signed.” He tapped the folder with one finger.

Clara’s nostrils flared hating how calm he was. She hated that he still carried himself like a man who hadn’t lost everything “You’re pathetic,” she snapped. “You were nothing when Madam married you, and now you’re even less. Honestly, she’s been far too generous giving you this way out.”

Adrian’s smile didn’t fade “Then let her tell me that herself, and not through you.”

Clara clenched her jaw, grabbed the folder, and stood “don’t fool yourself, Kane. You’re finished. Madam Hart has already moved on, and you’re just too stubborn to accept reality.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair and stayed silent, which only made Clara angrier.

“You can’t just ignore this, Mr. Adrian!” Clara snapped with her voice rising so loud that it went beyond the office walls.

Elena who was outside heard every word and that was the last straw that got her chest burning with fury and she couldn’t hold back anymore, she shoved the door open and marched inside with her heels striking hard against the floor.

Adrian was already waiting and for just a second his calm face flickered when he saw her storm in.

Elena sat down across from him without hesitation with her gaze cool “You wanted me here,” she said evenly. “Now, speak.”

Adrian tilted his head, his tone laced with sarcasm “So the queen finally decided to visit her worthless husband.”

Elena didn’t rise to the jab but, placed the folder on the table and slid it toward him “Adrian, let’s not drag this out. Sign the divorce papers. I’ll make sure you’re compensated. Ten million dollars. You can live comfortably when you get out of here.”

Adrian let out a bitter laugh “Ten million? That’s how you measure our marriage? Years together, reduced to a number.”

Elena’s lips tightened “Don’t act like a victim. You’ve given me nothing. No support, no stability. And now…” she gestured at his uniform with her voice dripping with disdain “you’re in prison. You’ve become nothing but a burden. Tell me, how am I supposed to carry dead weight?”

Adrian’s jaw tightened although his voice stayed calm “So that’s what I am to you. A Dead weight?”

She leaned forward, with her eyes sharp “Yes. You’ve dragged me down for too long. This is me cutting the chain.”

The air grew tensed and for a moment, they just stared at each other, while Adrian’s eyes flickered with pain but he quickly masked it.

Finally, he picked up the pen “Fine,” he muttered. “If this is what you want…” He signed with steady strokes, each letter like a final blow.

He pushed the papers back toward her “Done.”

Elena glanced at his signature, and something in her chest twisted for a second, but she shoved it down. She stood “Good. I’ll have my lawyer process this immediately.”

Adrian pushed the folder back further, but ignored the mention of money “Keep your millions. I don’t need your pity.”

Elena paused “Then what do you want?”

Adrian’s gaze sharpened “The pendant. The Kane family heirloom I gave you. Return it. That’s all.”

Her hand instinctively moved to her chest where the pendant was hidden under her blouse. She hadn’t taken it off since their wedding; not even when she told herself that she no longer cared.

Guilt flickered in her eyes for a split second but she straightened “I’ll bring it next time. Think carefully if there’s anything else. Tomorrow will be your last chance.”

She turned and walked out without waiting for his response.

Clara, who was waiting outside quickly hurried forward “Madam Hart! Are you alright? Did he cause trouble?”

Elena kept her face cold “He signed.”

Clara’s eyes lit up with relief “That’s the best news! Finally, you can put this behind you. Madam, he was never worthy of you honestly. Prison suits him.”

Elena didn’t answer immediately but walked in silence for a minute and the finally murmured “Yes… I suppose it does.”

Clara frowned at her tone “Madam Hart, don’t tell me you feel sorry for him? After everything he’s put you through? You’re doing the right thing. That man has no future. Don’t waste even a thought on him.”

Elena’s expression hardened again “I know what I’m doing, Clara.”

Adrian sat alone inside staring at the empty seat across from him.

“She really thinks I’m worthless” he muttered, with a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “After everything…”

He clenched his fists with the pain in his chest being sharp, but he forced it down. She didn’t know the truth; she couldn’t. His imprisonment wasn’t what it seemed. This was a mission, and it was a mission so secret he couldn’t even whisper it to her.

He had hoped foolishly that she would trust him even a little. That she would see past the surface, but clearly, he had overestimated his place in her heart.

“When disaster strikes” he murmured, “even the closest birds fly apart.”

His smile turned cold “I don’t blame her. I should’ve expected this.”

The steel door creaked open and the warden; Briggs, stepped inside with his face stern, but with respect in his posture. The guards stiffened in surprise as Briggs straightened and saluted.

“General Kane,” he said firmly, “the President requests your presence immediately.”

Adrian’s eyes darkened, the mocking smile fading into something razor-sharp “it’s about time.”